John Huff/Staff photogrpaher
Salvage crews work to raise a barge that sank near the shore by the New Castle causeway Saturday evening.

NEW CASTLE — A sinking barge was causing concern for Coast Guard officials on Saturday night, as the Pepperrell Cove Marine barge carrying a crane and 100 gallons of diesel fuel started sinking as it traveled up the river to return to Eliot, Maine.

Petty Officer Ryan Smith said the prevention team was on scene in the event that a spill occurred, but as of 10 p.m. “there is no spill that we know of right now.”

The barge began taking on water at 4:30 p.m. as it made its way up the Piscataqua River. Officials said it began sinking just off Kittery Point Yacht Club.

“We are still in operating phase of salvage, trying to get the barge out,” said Smith at 10 p.m.

As of 11 p.m., tugboats and divers were on the scene but the barge was no longer visible in the water.

It remains unclear what caused the barge to begin sinking. Smith said crews were hoping to be able to plug a hole in the vessel, though officials were uncertain how the damage occurred.

Smith said it is possible that the barge operator may have hit something or run onto land.

Rescue crews anticipated to be working throughout the night.

Petty Officer Cassandra Peacock told the Portsmouth Herald there had been a work dinghy on board and that the operator was able to escape.